christopher Harper, Author at DJ Products

Bed Bugs in Hotels – The Problem is Getting More Notice from Guests

Over the Past few years, reports of bed bugs in hotels have received a great deal of media attention. Despite this fact, the hospitality industry is fighting an even greater battle with the public’s lack of general understanding regarding bed bugs.

Battling Public Misinformation

Researchers at the University of Kentucky recently conducted a survey to explore public perception of bed bugs in hotels. While 60 percent of respondents said they would move to a different hotel if they discovered evidence of bed bugs, no more than 25 percent would do the same with problems like smoky rooms or dirty linens.

Surprisingly, most respondents don’t know what bed bugs look like. When shown a “lineup” of five different insect pests, only 35 percent of business travelers and 28 percent of leisure travelers recognized the bed bug.

More than half the respondents said they would avoid a hotel that had a single online report of bed bugs. Jerrod M. Penn, PhD, lead author of the study, expressed concern at this finding, citing the unreliability of online reviews.

How Should Hotels Respond?

Wuyang Hu, PhD, senior author of the study, suggested a two-pronged approach to the issue:

Train hotel staffs to recognize bed bugs in the early stages.
Develop a reputation management plan to respond to online reviews as well as incidents within the hotel.

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Cut the Risk and Improve Safety When It Comes to Your Trash Room

Just as you can lower your car insurance by driving a safer car and avoiding accidents, you can lower your workers comp premiums with tools and strategies to improve dumpster safety. Besides the nightmare scenario of a dumpster tipping over and injuring an employee, your team faces an ongoing risk of repetitive stress and muscle injuries related to moving dumpsters.

How a Dumpster Pusher Can Help

When your employees move a dumpster or waste container, are they using manual force to steer and push it? Even on wheels, it takes a physical exertion that exceeds what the human body can comfortably perform. Both instantaneous injuries and long-term, built-up musculoskeletal disorders can put your worker on paid leave and increase workers comp insurance costs.

An automated dumpster pusher is the best way to improve trash room safety:

• Lower your Experience Modification Rating (EMR or E-Mod)

• Reduce workers compensation insurance premiums

• Keep your employees healthy and avoid costly time off

• Avoid high employee turnover and the associated loss of productivity

• Double the efficiency of trash room duties

• Manage the trash room in less time and/or with fewer employees

• Improve cleanliness and customer satisfaction at multi-family properties, retail, hospitality, etc.

The #1 Solution for the Biggest Injury Risk

Any business with a trash room or the need to move dumpsters can benefit from using a motorized dumpster pusher. In particular, rental properties benefit from using the WasteCaddy because trash-related injuries are the #1 risk for worker injury.

Tackle the trash room, and you can tackle your workers comp premiums. Contact DJ Products for a quote or demo of our WasteCaddy dumpster pusher.

Are Military Contractors Being Helped Too Much by the Government?

Dating back to the mid-20th century, President Dwight Eisenhower predicted an unholy alliance between defense contractors, politicians and military brass. Today his vision has become reality, as fat contracts have taken precedence over the actual needs of our troops.

Profits Taking Priority Over Function and Safety?

The problems of a poorly-equipped military date back to the Civil War. Over the subsequent years, the level of dysfunction in the procurement process has grown to the point where 50 of the Pentagon’s 63 largest programs are over budget by a staggering $296 billion.

A military contractor equipment supplier faces little competition and even less outside scrutiny. As a result, contractors will often line their pockets by offering plenty of bells and whistles with no substance.

The stakes are even higher for military supplies and equipment than for most other products. If a refrigerator or computer malfunctions, it’s an inconvenience. With military items, problems can result in injuries or even deaths.

Reforming the Military Procurement Process

• Solicit input from the troops. The men and women who will actually be using the supplies and equipment are the true experts.

• Restore competition among contractors. Open up the process to companies outside the so-called Iron Triangle.

• Designate a centralized office or agency to provide the strong oversight that’s sorely lacking right now.

Full Line of Electric Tugs, Movers and Pushers for Military and DOD

Material handling needs of a military contractor equipment supplier range from engines and refueling tanks to explosives and aircraft. Call 800.686.2651 and let one of our knowledgeable sales engineers at DJ Products help you find the right solution for your applications.

Tips for Loading Up Your Dumpster

Did you know that a disproportionate amount of worker injuries occur around dumpsters? You can injure a shoulder while throwing bulky items, or sustain a repetitive-stress spinal injury from maneuvering dumpsters up and down ramps.

That’s why so many organizations use waste container pullers like the WasteCaddy dumpster mover and why your team should know more about dumpster safety.

Tips for Using Dumpsters

Some of the best tips for using a dumpster come from companies that rent dumpsters to the general public, because they have to coach people on loading dumpsters every day. Here’s what we can all learn from a roll-off rental service:

• Put lightweight items on the bottom if possible, so heavier items will compact them

• Spread weight around instead of letting heavy items stack up in one place

• Break down large objects to conserve space and save money, and to prevent long items from sticking out

• Wear gloves, eyewear, and other personal protective equipment when loading a dumpster with loose debris

• Avoid prohibited items from dumpsters such as paint, fuel, asbestos materials, etc.

Automated equipment makes dumpsters less likely to cause injury or property damage. The WasteCaddy dumpster mover from DJ Products eliminates the painful, dangerous task of manually pushing or pulling a loaded dumpster.

There’s a productivity boost, too, because our bin pullers and dumpster tows can free up an employee. Many of our users have gone from two employees moving dumpsters to only needing one worker to do the job.

With the WasteCaddy dumpster mover (or WasteCaddyLite for 2-yard dumpsters and other containers up to 1 ton), you can improve dumpster safety even more!

Hotels Embrace Robots and Automated Butlers

Remember Rosie, the sarcastic but lovable robot maid employed by ’60 cartoon family The Jetsons? She’s becoming closer to reality as the hospitality industry increasingly integrates technology with guest services.

At Your Service: High-Tech Amenities

• The Aloft Cupertino, a stone’s throw from Apple’s California headquarters, employs Botlr, a robotic butler complete with bowtie who will deliver breakfast, towels and toiletries to your room.

• Luxury hotel YOTEL in New York City facilitates luggage storage with YOBOT. Guests leave their bags in a drop-off area for YOBOT to place in a secure locker and retrieve upon request. The entire process is controlled by touchscreens and PIN codes.

• Several Bay Area hotels have taken minibars to the next level with Plum, an automatic dispenser that holds wine at the perfect temperature and serves by the glass.

• All 748 rooms in the Wynn Las Vegas are equipped with Alexa, Amazon’s voice-activated personal assistant that handles tasks from opening the curtains to raising or lowering the temperature.

• Another plush Las Vegas hotel, the Aria, features in-room tablets for use in controlling room features, ordering room service, making spa or restaurant reservations and reading your hometown newspaper.

• Peloton’s internet-enabled exercise bikes are installed in several Westin hotels, allowing guests to take virtual spin classes.

Move Hotel Equipment Effortlessly with Electric Carts from DJ Products

Improve workplace efficiency and safety with battery-powered carts that allow a single employee to move heavy hotel equipment. Visit our website and use our handy online chat feature to learn more about solutions such as our popular CartCaddyLite from our helpful sales engineers.

Networking Summit Acted as Matchmaker between Businesses and the Military

Most business people rely on networking to market themselves and discover valuable new opportunities. The same holds true for a military contractor equipment supplier attending the recent Army Contracting Summit in Killeen, TX.

“Marrying” Contractors and Local Companies

The Washington, D.C.-based Defense Leadership Forum hosted the two-day event for approximately 150 area vendors and business leaders. Various workshops and speeches focused on providing local companies with information and advice about Army contracts in the Fort Hood area.

Howard Snow, a retired Marine lieutenant colonel who formerly served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, moderated the event. He explained that the purpose of the summit was to serve as “matchmaker” for defense contractors and local businesses.

What’s In the Future for Army Contracts?

Summit highlights included details about specific military contracts for goods and services including vehicles, ammunition, communications and housing. Contractors also received insights into successfully dealing with the government’s procurement systems.

Richard G. Kidd IV, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for strategic innovation, gave the keynote speech. Kidd addressed the changing environment for military installations and the Army’s commitment to renewable alternative energy projects.

While in town, Kidd also attended a ribbon-cutting at West Fort Hood marking the completion of more than 60,000 solar panels. The hybrid renewable energy project is expected to save about $168 million dollars in energy costs over the next 30 years.

Military and DOD Tugs and Movers from DJ Products

We offer a full line of electric tugs and movers that are perfect solutions for military contractor equipment suppliers looking to improve workplace safety. Visit our website to learn more.

What Isn’t Safe to Throw Away in Your Dumpster?

Some things shouldn’t be thrown away because recycling them is so easy—like aluminum cans. Other things truly cannot be thrown away because of laws, regulations, or a company’s environmental ethics. If your organization has not established what items are unacceptable for the dumpster, then it’s time to make a list.

At DJ Products, we’re often stressing the importance of safety for employees who use and maneuver dumpsters with our WasteCaddy dumpster mover. It’s also important to be safe about what items go into the dumpster, in terms of both worker injury and eco-friendly practices.

Common Items That You Can’t Throw Away in a Dumpster

Prohibited items can vary depending on state and local laws or the rules of your trash collection service. Whether prohibited or not, you should think twice about these kinds of items:

• Items with environmental hazards: computers, electronics, rechargeable batteries, appliances that contain refrigerant such as mini fridges and window air conditioners, CFL light bulbs and other items containing mercury.

• Flammable items: gasoline, butane, and other fuels, oil and lubricants, and liquids such as paint, varnish, and wood stain.

• Other dangerous materials: medical supplies such as syringes, sharps, and scalpels. For dangerous items like broken glass and ceramics, use heavy paper bags to prevent injury.

• Check with your city or collection company: construction and demolition waste including dirt, rock, concrete, drywall, roofing shingles, etc.

More About Dumpster Safety

Many of our clients purchase a WasteCaddy dumpster mover after discovering that an alarming percentage of worker compensation claims are related to dumpster duty. Contact us at DJ Products or read more about our WasteCaddy dumpster mover and bin pullers.

What Steps Can You Take to Deter Dumpster Diving at Your Facility

Although one man’s trash might be another man’s treasure, your business probably does not want its dumpsters to be treated as a free-for-all. Dumpster divers leave behind an ugly mess that can be dangerous. You may also have sensitive, proprietary information that you don’t want to fall into the wrong hands.

We recommend using the WasteCaddy so any employee can safely transport dumpsters to locked areas when not in use. Your organization can also learn some tricks from the self-storage industry.

Tales of Dumpster Diving

Storage facilities are ripe targets for dumpster diving because quality items are often discarded by people who don’t have any other options. The Storage Facilitator blog recounts tales of dumpster divers visiting every night, and unfortunately, failing to pick up after themselves.

One man rented storage units at various facilities just to gain (technically legal) access to the dumpsters. The token amount of business was far outweighed by the constant mess.

Tips to Discourage Dumpster Diving

Some of the best ways to deter people from digging through trash include:

• Always lock dumpsters so only maintenance staff has access.

• Locate dumpsters in a locked parking lot after hours.

• Use a powered dumpster mover like the WasteCaddy for an easier time moving and relocating dumpsters.

• Provide smaller trash cans for customers and employees and empty them regularly.

• Routinely send scrap metal and other desirable debris to recycling facilities.

Moving dumpsters behind locked gates is an easy solution, but manually pushing dumpsters carries a huge injury risk. Talk to us at DJ Products about how the WasteCaddy or WasteCaddyLite can help keep your facility clean and secure.

The Military Can Teach Business Owners the Value of Supporting Family

If you’re looking for advice on family dynamics, the U.S. military might not be the option that leaps to mind. In reality, the challenges of managing a massive workforce that’s continually on the move make the military a unique source of tips on how companies can support employees and their families.

Managing Career and Family: How to Succeed at Both

• Working parents have difficulty balancing the demands of the job against sharing quality time with their families. Show consideration by keeping their job commitments as predictable as possible. End meetings on time and limit last-minute assignments to true emergencies.

• People often compartmentalize their personal and professional lives, but shifting gears on a dime can actually keep us off-kilter. Encourage employees to settle into a moderate routine that prevents drastic shifts in tone.

• Your company probably offers a quality employee assistance program including counseling and other resources, but people are often reluctant to use them. Bring the program into the open with signs and other reminders placed in highly visible spots and make sure your managers are talking about it with their associates.

• In addition to your formal employee assistance program, give associates help in forming a network of peers, whether it’s online or in person. Working parents can learn a great deal from others who share similar experiences.

DJ Products: Helping DOD Equipment Suppliers Keep a Safe Workplace

DOD equipment suppliers deal with a diverse assortment of products, from explosives to boats and aircraft. Visit our website to learn about our full line of electric tugs, movers and pushers such as our WagonCaddyHD.

Is It a Match for the Industry and Uber-Like Freight Handling?

Uber has given a whole new look to personal transportation and food delivery services. Can it do the same for the trucking industry? The answer is not as simple as it may seem.

Trucking Industry Slow to Adapt to New Technology

In 2016 Wallace Lau, industry principal at consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, authored a study called, “Uber for Trucks: Executive Analysis of North American Mobile Based Freight Brokering Market.” Based on $100 million in current revenue, Lau projected an increase to $26.40 billion by 2025.

But today Lau says that adoption of the Uber model is moving more slowly than anticipated due to resistance by the trucking industry. Lau’s updated study is expected to be released this coming fall.

According to Lau, people in the trucking industry are uncertain about whether the Uber model will actually benefit them. Many are reluctant to deviate from their established routines working with traditional freight brokers.

Uber Throws Its Hat into the Ring

All this may be about to change with Uber’s introduction of its own freight app this past May. While there are already several mobile-based freight apps on the market, Lau believes that Uber’s name and reputation will cause the industry to take a closer look at this trend.

Bill Driegert, director of Uber Freight, says their app turns a cumbersome, labor-intensive process into a single click. It also offers transparency for both shipper and receiver.

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Author: christopher Harper